Community Duck Race

Reporter Jonathan White
The 24th ‘Annual Community Duck Race and Children's Model Boat Race’ took place on Saturday 7th September 2019, at the Joey the Swan Recreation ground in Wistaston.
The event was organised by members of the Wistaston Community Council.
The event was officially opened by guest of honour Wistaston Rose Queen (Charlotte Shaw).
A record 74 model boats were entered into the Children's Model Boat Race and 825 plastic duck race tickets (£1 each) were sold and entered into the Duck Race.
Proceeds will go to the funds of Wistaston Community Council, Wistaston Memorial Hall & Community Centre, and several local charities.
There were also 12 stalls featuring local charities and organisations, selling an assortment of goods or advertising their activities. Wistaston Rose Queen, Charlotte Shaw, also setup and staffed a stall to raise money and awareness of her chosen charity this year which is Parkinson’s UK and the local Crewe & District Branch of Parkinson’s UK.
Refreshments were available from the 26th South West Cheshire (1st Willaston) Scout Group and other outlets.
Several hundred people attended the event, which took place in warm sunshine.
Here are the results in full:
Children's Model Boat Race (74 model boats entered):
a) Best designed children's model boat (judged by Wistaston Rose Queen, Charlotte Shaw):
1st – ‘The Bubbler’ by Abigail Poulter who won £10 and a trophy.
2nd place – ‘Lest we forget’.
3rd place – ‘Rainbow Blaze’ by Poppy Edge.
b) Children's Model Boat Race:
1st - ‘Smokey Jones’ by Louis Phipps who won £10, plus a trophy donated by Herbert Locke MBE.
2nd place - ‘Theo’s Boat’ by Theo Jones who won £8.
3rd place – ‘Rainbow Blaze’ by Poppy Edge who won £6.
Poppy Edge, aged 5 from Wistaston, won prizes in both events.
Duck Race (825 tickets sold):
1st – No.143 – Anne & Nick Garner who won £100, plus a trophy donated by Les Fothergill, a past Wistonian of the Year.
2nd – No.613 – Star Rowlands - £50.
3rd – No.533 – Stephanie Burley - £25.
There was an enthusiastic commentary on both races by Dane Chaplow (Chairman, Wistaston Community Council) with ongoing excitement and incident around every corner as ducks and boats bobbed and weaved along the obstacle course.
A representative from Wistaston Community Council said, “We thank all the visitors and volunteers for making the event such a quacking success.”